Berry Bros brings back own-label gin

Wine and spirits merchant Berry Bros & Rudd has relaunched its own-label London Dry gin, Berrys’ Best Gin, after it ceased production back in 2014.

The gin was originally produced back in 1909 but it disappeared from the merchant’s range in 2014.

After a four-year hiatus, it has been re-introduced to the UK and will be distributed through its in-house UK distribution arm, Fields Morris & Verdin.

A sample of gin was taken from the merchant’s oldest remaining bottle, dating from the 1950s, and was given to Thames Distillers who then recreated the formula.

Berrys’ Best Gin has botanicals including juniper berries, coriander seeds, angelic root and winter savory. It is described as having “hints at violet creams and a soft chalkiness” on the nose with a “floral slant” on the palate.

Berry Bros. & Rudd chairman, Lizzy Rudd commented: “It is so exciting to see what was once a firm customer favourite brought back to life. We are seeing a real gin revival and we hope that people will enjoy the heritage and history around the Berry Bros. & Rudd London Dry Gin.

“It’s a complex, well balanced gin with a wonderful combination of botanicals and flavours such as the not often seen winter savory, which creates an exceptional Gin & Tonic.”

Charles Maxwell, director at Thames Distillers added: “Thames Distillers was delighted to be commissioned by Berry Bros & Rudd to distil a modern-day version of Berrys’ Best Gin. It was a fascinating challenge to build a recipe with just a small sample of the 1950’s gin as a reference. We are very pleased to have made a product which has been passed as being up to Berrys’ renowned high standards and a match to the historic gin”.

Berrys’ Best Gin will retail for £25 per (70cl) bottle. It joins Berry Bros’ other gin, No.3 London Dry, which retails for £35.85 on the company’s website.